You already know you should include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Did you also know that citrus fruits can be a great way to up your health regime? This article will explain the many benefits of citrus fruits, what citrus fruits are and how they may help prevent a plethora of health conditions. You’ll also learn why The Sisters Market is a great resource to get all the citrus you need in order to stay healthy and strong. 

What are Citrus Fruits and Why are They Good for Me?

Citrus fruits are characterized by a white pith and leathery rind that protects juicy segments inside. They are native to New Guinea, Australia and Southeast Asia, but are grown in sub-tropical climates all over the world, including the U.S. Almost one-third of citrus fruits are produced into juice.

While citrus fruits can be found all year round in grocery stores, in the Northern Hemisphere, the peak season for grapefruits and oranges is typically mid-December to April. 

Some of the most popular varieties include: 

• Sweet Oranges: Blood orange, navel, cara cara, valencia 
• Limes: Kaffir, key lime, Persian 
• Mandarins: clementine, tangelo, tangor, satsuma 
• Grapefruit: Ruby red, white, oroblanco 
• Lemons: Meyer, Eureka 
• Other: Yuzu, citron, pomelos

Many of these are available at local grocery stores; however, considering that they may travel thousands of miles to their final destination, they may not taste the way they would when they are freshly picked. 

About The Sister’s Market 

Although The Sisters Market was founded in recent years, the owners are no strangers to farming or growing some of the tastiest citrus fruits in the country. Twin sisters Elise and Emily, along with cousin Jenna, grew up together watching their fathers and learning the trade. In fact, the small family farm had been running for more than five generations in the central valley of California. When the current generation started feeling deflated as a result of big corporate farming competition, the women banded together and created The Sisters Market, an enterprise that takes pride in growing the best quality citrus fruits, and partnering with other farmers that share their vision. 

The Sisters Market is dedicated to providing quality citrus fruits that you and your entire family can enjoy. 

The Sisters Market mission is a simple one: to connect you, the consumer, to the farmer. Somewhere along the way, communication has been lost between the source of our food and the consumer.  The Sisters Market wants to fix that and bridge the gap between consumer and farmer. They want to educate, enlighten and bring back love for local farming. 

The Sisters Market provides only the best quality and they partner with farms that share in their vision of farming ethically and sustainably. So great is this mission that they offer a freshness Guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return your box and you’ll get refunded 100% of your money. They must be doing something right because the family won the Agriculturists of the Year award in 2016.

The website offers an array of citrus boxes, depending on the season. Simply order your choice from the website and it will be delivered right to your door. As per USDA regulations, delivery is not available in AK or HI. One such box is the Cara Cara orange box, and it is simply divine. 

Cara Cara Box 

Cara Cara oranges are a unique variety in that they taste just like fruit punch! These specialty oranges have hints of blackberry, cranberry, raspberry and rose, making them a truly unique taste experience. With pink flesh and no seeds, these oranges are quite juicy and are perfect as part of a healthy breakfast or an afternoon snack with a cup of tea. Cara Cara slices are also great in your water for a refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day. 

They are available from December to April, and are available to order online. With approximately 12 pieces per box, they can be enjoyed by the whole family. They also make great gifts for that special someone, or those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. 

Other Products  

The Sisters Market also has several other boxes of citrus fruit to choose from, and they all make great gifts. Of course, they also make a great gift for yourself, when you want the very best that nature has to offer!

Lauren’s Choice Box

If you love stone fruits you’ll love the Lauren’s Choice Box! Packed full of juicy peaches and nectarines, this box will satisfy your taste buds all summer long. Grown from one of the farm partners, Sweet Home Ranch, this box is named after Lauren, one of the owners, it’s just that good!

Stone fruits like peaches offer all of the nutrients that citrus fruits have, and they are a delicious addition to your overall healthy eating plan.

Wellness Box 

This collection is an absolute must for anyone who wants to relax after a long hard day at work, or those who just need an oasis away from the daily grind. It’s also a perfect gift for new moms! If you want to elevate your self-care routine, this box is for you. What you’ll find inside:

• The Sisters Market Citrus
• Citrus Blossom Candle
• Mini wooden diffuser
• Wild Bird Botanicals Lavender Orange Grey Tea
• Orange Blossom Essential Oil
• Floral Bath Salts

Relax after a long day at work, sip your tea, enjoy the scent of the oil and candle and let your troubles and stress drift away.

The Wellness Box is full of relaxing and stress-relieving goodies. Order one for yourself or that special someone who needs some self-care.

Stickers

Life is too short not to have a little fun. These stickers will add a splash of cuteness wherever you put them – on your laptop, coffee cup, smartphone, notebook, or even your refrigerator! Choose between three slogans: “Squeeze the Day”, “Thank a Farmer” or the TSM logo. Or, get all three stickers for a discounted price.

Linen Tote Bag 

Adorned with The Sisters Market logo, this versatile linen bag is perfect for trips to the farmers market, grocery store, or even the beach. Sturdy construction means this long-lasting bag will be up for any challenge for years to come.

With so many offerings, it might be hard to choose just one. Get some friends together and order a variety of boxes to share between you; or, make a commitment to purchase a different box each month, depending on what’s in season. Your taste buds will thank you!

   Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits 

• Excellent source of vitamin C: a vitamin that strengthens the immune system and keeps your skin looking young and healthy. 
• Other essential vitamins: Citrus fruits also contain B vitamins, potassium and magnesium  
• Boost heart health: A Japanese study found that people who ate citrus fruits had lower rates of heart disease and stroke. This is due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 
• Low in calories: One medium cara cara orange contains only 80 calories. In fact, all citrus fruit is low in calories. So go ahead and have a grapefruit for breakfast, throw some orange slices in your salad for lunch and have some lemon slices in your water. 
• May help prevent kidney stones: Some kidney stones are caused by low levels of citrate in urine. Citrus fruits can raise citrate levels, thus lowering the risk of some types of stones. 
• May help fight against cancer: Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between consuming citrus and cancer rates. Evidence indicates that regular consumption of citrus can help lower the risk of certain types of cancers including esophagus, stomach, breast and pancreatic. 
• Good source of fiber: Most of us don’t get enough daily fiber, which can cause digestive upsets and can increase the risk of certain cancers. Just one cup of orange slices provide four grams of fiber. The really good news? You’ll get a good dose of both soluble and insoluble fiber, giving you the best nutritional value possible when it comes to digestive health and disease prevention. 
• May help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s: These diseases are caused by inflammation. Citrus fruits contain plant compounds that act as anti-inflammatories, which can help prevent these debilitating conditions. Specific flavonoid compounds, such as hesperdin and apigenrin, can protect brain cells and improve brain function.   

How to Enjoy Your Cara Cara Oranges and Other Citrus Fruits

If you’re wondering how to get more fruit into your day, here are a few ideas:

Toss them in a salad: There’s nothing like fresh orange slices to give your salad a little zing! Toss them in with lettuce, spinach, and even some strawberries for a delicious meal that will have your family asking for seconds. 

Make a smoothie: NO time in the morning for a healthy breakfast? Toss some citrus fruit in a blender and make a delicious smoothie that you can sip during your commute to work. Or toss in some protein powder and enjoy one after a workout for muscle recovery. 

Peel and enjoy: Of course, there’s nothing like just grabbing an orange from your fruit bowl and enjoying one as a snack with a cup of tea. Pair it with a few almonds or light cheese and you won’t get those pre-dinner hunger pangs! 

Cakes, muffins, sweet breads: While not as healthy as enjoying citrus fruit on its own, you can bake up some delicious treats that the whole family is sure to love. There are plenty of recipes online, and many of them have low sugar/gluten free options. 

Juice them: What’s better than a freshly squ eezed glass of orange juice? We can’t think of a thing! When you drink it with pulp, you’ll get all the nutrients, not just the sugar. So, drink up! 

Add them to your water: Plain water can get boring. Zest up your water routine by using lemon, lime and/or orange slices for a refreshing taste that will help get your 8 glasses a day in. 

Fun Fact: Did You Know? Long before air fresheners were invented, people scented their homes with citrus fruits. For example, they would stick whole cloves into oranges and display them in a decorative bowl as a centerpiece. These are also known as pomander balls. They would also be used in garlands, and as decorations during the holidays. 

Whether you’re ordering a Cara Cara Box for yourself or you want to give a gift to a special friend or loved one, The Sisters Market has just what you need. If you have made a resolution to eat better and improve your overall health, eating citrus fruit is a perfect first step. Visit the website to discover all of their offerings, learn more about their mission and their partners, and re-ignite your passion for supporting local farms. There are subscription options available so you can ensure you’ll always get the freshest fruit in season. You can also follow them on Instagram.